Memorials

We're hearing a lot these days about big splashy memorial services.
　
　
A nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers is something we
haven't heard about.
　
Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company
of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne
Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel,
you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty
himself is interviewed in several of them.
　
　
I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know
who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble
reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right
gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle", the symbol of the 101st
Airborne, on his hat.
　
　
Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if
his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I
thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many
jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and
was in until sometime in 1945 . . . " at which point my heart skipped.
　
At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps
at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where
Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland , into Arnhem ." I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.
　
　
I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said "Yes.
And it's real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and
those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say.
　
　
I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up
out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his
in coach.
　
He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming
up now as I write this.
　
Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.
　
　
There was no parade.
　
　
No big event in Staples Center .
　
　
No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage.
　
　
No weeping fans on television.
　
　
And that's not right.
　
Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way.
Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the
veterans.
　
　
Rest in peace, Shifty.
　
　
"A nation without heroes is nothing."
Roberto Clemente